"They created eating disorders. They did not try to provide any assistance or help to any of these people," she said, adding that about five people had to go to the hospital during her season.

Mendonca said she heard talk behind the scenes about diuretics and ephedra pills, but did not take the drugs herself.

At one point she was urged to ingest baking soda in order to retain water weight before a weigh-in. Mendonca explained that Bob Harper and a doctor were trying to "manipulate" which contestants would leave and which ones would go home.

In a statement, NBC said: “The safety and well being of our contestants is and has always been paramount. We prohibit the use of any illegal substances in addition to the many other rules and procedures of the show that are designed to ensure safety.”

Mendonca said she and other contestants are looking into a class-action lawsuit against the show.

In her First Thoughts on Fox Nation, Tomi Lahren said Thursday that democratic socialist Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez should act on her own ideals and donate part of her paycheck to help illegal immigrants or asylum seekers.